To throw away the landlord's shit in the loft?

We've just moved in to a nice house. The landlady mentioned that the loft was partly boarded out and that they'd left "a couple of boxes in the very back that we couldn't reach."

I just went to stow some things and pretty most of the boarded out space is full of their stuff. It's about a dozen or so cartons of crap. Mostly toys and holiday decorations.

None of this is on the inventory. I'd like to use that space for our empty suitcases, camping gear, etc. There's already a large shed full of their stuff that I grudgingly accept we can't use. But the loft situation annoys me.

DH feels it would be wrong to empty the loft. I have been in this situation before (previous landlord was much, much worse and I did throw everything away.) I just have no patience for this. I think it's infantile to be unable to take responsibility for your belongings. If they can't be bothered to move it, or even inventory it, then they clearly can't really care about it.

The first carton I looked in had what was clearly a well-loved child's teddy. Even I don't have the heart to toss that. But what about the other stuff?

The loft isn't locked. We were specifically told that the loft was usable and that there were "a couple" of things in the back that were too hard to reach. We're expected to use it. But it's crammed full.

No. It is there and she told you it was there. By all means ask her to remove it but if you rented the place with the knowledge that stuff was stored there and that you did not have use of the shed or the loft then that is fair enough.

YABU - especially as you seem to want to chuck it out rather than do the normal thing and talk to the landlady.

Oh and if I was the landlady and found out you'd thrown my stuff out like this I would start eviction proceedings as soon as it came about. If it didn't come about till the end of the tenancy there is no way I'd be letting you have any deposit back.

No! It's her house and her things! She told you they were there. if you threw them away and then she came back for them would you just say "well they weren't in the inventory"? That would be cruel.Why not ring her and ask her to move them?

I didn't know it was there when I rented it. We were told that there was plenty of space for our use. Had to bring our ladder (after moving) to see it. I didn't go through the stuff, just looked in the nearest carton. What I can see are toys and Christmas lights.

I think I'll ask her verbally to remove the bulk of it. Because there's no written record of it as it is, so why establish one?

You cna't just throw it. You can, however, act like a reasonable, none crazy person and call or e-mail her to say that actually it's a lot more than a few boxes at the back, but is full, and had she forgotten to clear it? If it includes Christmas decorations, it could well be they meant to take them with them!

Act like you are sane and reasonable and ask her if she could move them so that you can use the loft.

YABVU It is the landlord's property and her belongings. Imagine if someone came into your property and threw away the stuff they didn't think was important. How would you feel with mementos etc gone forever? You have no idea what sentimental value those items have. Tat to you might be precious to her.

The landlady was clear that there were boxes there and you should respect that. Your fault for not checking the property did not have enough storage space in the first place for all your possessions.

I'm just so tired of renting houses and always having to battle for the space. The previous landlord literally left every drawer and cupboard crammed with things like expired medication and their deceased parent's clothing. In that case, I asked, they refused (kept saying "but it's a furnished house!") and I eventually pitched most of it.

She told you it was there. The dispute seems to be over how much of the loft each of you needs. She probably thought you might also need to put the odd box and Xmas lights up there not suitcases and camping gear. You thought she had two small boxes whereas to her "a couple" meant four or five. Easy to sort out if you talk to her.